A clash of two CFL West powers squared off last Sunday

BC vs. Saskatchewan recap

A clash of two CFL West powers squared off on Sunday in a game that may turn out to hold significant playoff implications.

Here is this weeks Love ‘Em and Hate ‘Em

Love ‘Em

Answering the Bell: Sometimes it’s just who you beat that makes victory taste sweeter. No this wasn’t David and Goliath it was more Foreman versus Chuvalo, two heavyweights going the distance. With the victory and Calgary losing earlier on the weekend the BC Lions now stand with a better chance of gaining the coveted top spot in the CFL West.

Standing Tall: He may have been the shortest guy on the field, but no-one gave a bigger performance than Lions QB Thomas DeMarco. Leading the Offense to an opening drive Field Goal where he made three consecutive receptions was a solid start, but finishing the game with a knuckle-whitening third down conversion to set up a game winning FG, in the toughest crib in the league, was epic.

The New Bash Brothers: Ryan Phillips, Dante Marsh and Korey Banks have long been the identity of the Lions secondary but Josh Bell and Cord Parks were out to prove themselves against some tough competition.

Those two young guns were laying the wood to anyone in Green and White.

In an area which has come under harsh criticism, Bell and Parks put on a tackling clinic against Saskatchewan.

Nice game BC. Well played. A huge win.

Border War: It just seemed that the BC Defense had something to prove in every department but nowhere was this more evident than on the D-Line. The big horses up front came flying off the line to establish position on the Roughriders side of the line of scrimmage.

Forcing two fumbles, and twice sacking Darian Durant the D-Line definitely came to play. Especially big cat Eric Taylor who had one sack, one fumble and completely dominated C Brendan LaBatte, a former CFL All-Star.

Mr. Clutch: Yup, Paul McCallum. The oldest guy in the league, nutting up when he has to. Zero’s on the clock and he sends Rider faithful home crying in their silly watermelon helmets.

Well played Paul, well played.

Hate ‘Em

Too Close: The Lions still haven’t figured the proper way to seal victory in a close game. Lions fans were a game winning field goal away from lambasting this team for squandering a victory.

Allowing Saskatchewan to get back in the game and take the lead with just over a minute remaining by letting the Riders into the end zone late in the contest.

Forgotten Man: He is the most versatile weapon in the game, yet he has been given fewer chances to succeed lately.

RB Andrew Harris needs close to 20 touches a game for this Offence to function properly. 15 Rushing attempts and 5 catches a game will free up the outside weapons, spread the defence, and take a little pressure of the O-line.

The book on the Lions is out; blitz the Leo QB and you’ll win. The most effective way to neutralize the opposing Linebackers is throw the screen pass.

Missed Opportunity: Sorry JR LaRose you’re on my radar again. And you know why. You’re a veteran Safety in the pass happy CFL and you have yet to record an interception.

Late in the game with BC winning, a deflected pass dropped gracefully into and out of LaRose’s hands.

A gift wrapped pick that would have iced the game. Lions defenders need to have those critical turnovers.